Abstract
The THI1 gene encodes a thiazole biosynthesis protein, a component of thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamine is an essential cofactor in metabolic carbohydrates and amino acids, especially in plants. In A. thaliana there is only one copy of the THI1 gene and its primary transcript is directed to the chloroplasts and mitochondria through the use of two initialization codons. In addition, the A. t…